A Fitting Tribute During Black History Month

Nation To Celebrate First-Ever Black History Month History Week

February 5, 2007 | Issue 43•06

WASHINGTON, DC—Saying the time had come for America to recognize "some of its most unsung heroes," President Bush issued a statement Tuesday announcing the creation of Black History Month History Week, which is to be held in the last seven days of February and will honor the men and women who pioneered the commemoration of Black History Month.

"From Monday, February 19, to Sunday, February 25, I invite the American people to join Laura and me in remembering those who made a difference in remembering those who made a difference in the rich history of this great land of ours," read Bush's statement. "People like Cleveland Mayor Michael White, who recited Martin Luther King, Jr's famous 'I Have A Dream' speech during Black History Month in 2004; event planner Sheila Carter, whose passion and determination forever changed the face of commemorating civil rights in America; and, of course, the Father of Black History Month, Gerald Ford, who first signed [Black History Month] into law."

"Without the achievements and sacrifices of these brave folks, it's hard to imagine where African Americans would be today—especially during February," the statement continued. "We must never, ever take Black History Month for granted."

All four major television networks are planning to preempt Black History Month programming with airing Black History Month History Week specials every weeknight. The networks have scheduled more than two dozen 30-second profiles of various Black History Month pioneers, including Annette Van Stijn, a former CBS News producer who created the first Black History Month network interstitial spots in 1980, and William Thorndike III, the first man to register the domain name "BlackHistoryMonth.com."

PBS, meanwhile, will air a two-part Ric Burns documentary on the towering Black History Month figure, documentary maker Ken Burns.

Lest We Forget